Classics 221 - The Origin of Language

Institution:

Bard College

Subject:

Description:

Where does language come from, and why do languages differ? This course explores the history of Western answers to these questions and their implications for human nature and identity. Topics considered include the role of the divine; whether language is "natural" or "conventional?inguistic diversity, evolution, and ecology; language acquisition and whether or not "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny"; sound,gesture, and symbol; biology, evolutionary theory, and neuropsychology; ethology and zoosemiotics; and language as blessing and curse. Readings include the biblical account of Babel and related stories; Greek and Roman philosophical speculation; medieval and Renaissance searches for Adamitic, "perfect," and "universal" languagetales of "feral children" and other foundlings; andmore recent perspectives on language origins.

Credits:

4.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.bard.edu

Phone Number:

(845) 758-6822

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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